A precious stone extracted from the land of Yemen. It has many types and colors and it is used in rings, rosaries, beads, ...etc. It has other uses as the seek of its benefits as many people believe. Yemeni agate is distinguished by its quality from many other agates in the world and has great importance among gemstones. Through this article, we will know more about what is Yemeni agate?
Agate stone consists of chalcedony and quartz as basic components and is found in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. (From the Yemeni Agates website) Yemeni Agates )
Raw Yemeni agate
Let us know more about what is Yemeni agate? More than one definition of the agate stone has been mentioned in dictionaries and historical and modern books to the extent of the information the authors were able to access, such as the following definitions:
Agate: is a variety a type of red bead.
Agate: is precious stone from which the cabochons are made, found in Yemen and the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea.
Aqeeq: the one piece of it is called is aqeeqah, and the plural is Aagah. It is a red gemstone from which rings and rosary beads are made. It is found in Yemen.( Dictionary of Meanings) The Dictionary of Meanings
}cabochons of Red Yemeni Agate
The terminological meaning of agate: What is the Yemeni agate? In Arabic?
A precious stone of different colors used for ornaments. Meaning that it is one of the precious stones from which jewelry is made (from Al-Jamhara website) Aljamharah)
Women's necklace and ring made of red Yemeni agate
What is the meaning of the term aqeeq in Arabic :
Agate in the Arabic language is a name given to a type of precious stone. One of the features of agate is that it has many colors that are used to make cabochons. (From a subject dictionary)
White, green and black faceted Yemeni agate stones
It becomes clearer to us what is the Yemeni onyx? Let's read the following definition from Wikipedia for agate in general
Agate is known as the striped species Chalcedony it comes in many colors. Agate is mainly formed within volcanic and metamorphic rocks. (on Wikipedia )
Raw and banded Yemeni agate chunk
Agate is also known as a semi-precious stone composed of silica minerals known as chalcedony. Which in turn comes in multiple sets of different colors. ( on Britannica)
Before delving into where Yemeni Aqeeq is extracted, let us first briefly explain what Yemeni Aqeeq is:
Yemeni Agate aqeeq
Yemeni Aqeeq is a precious stone that is extracted from the land of Yemen. It is known for its diversity in types and colors. It is used in the manufacturing of rings, necklaces, beads, art pieces, and various other ornaments. It is also believed to have spiritual and health benefits. Yemeni Aqeeq is renowned for its high quality, which sets it apart from other types of agate worldwide, granting it a significant position among gemstones.
Dagger handles made of Yemeni Agate Aqeeq
Dear reader, to learn more about what Yemeni Agate is, I recommend you to read the article "Introduction to Yemeni Agate" by clicking on the article link in Yemeni Agates Blog
Perhaps it is necessary to mention a brief overview of the types of Yemeni Aqeeq to complete the picture before revealing where Yemeni Aqeeq is extracted from.
What are the types of Yemeni Agates?
There are many types of Yemeni Agate, including red Yemeni Agate, cherry, liver, ruby, pomegranate, sky blue, white, pink/purple, black, black (Orca whale), striped, Bqarani, Dawoodi/Eye Agate/Wolf's Eye, tree-like, flowery, Yemeni Shams Honor, Agate (Slave's Lip), Bloostone, Sulaimani, Thahlabi, Za'faran, snake/tiger skin, needle, Ismaili, Agate Jaza, banded, green jade, quartz, and star stone
If you would like to explore the types and specifications of each type, we are delighted to invite you to read the dedicated article What are the types of Yemeni Agates? in the Yemeni Agate blog.
One of the workers in Yemeni Agate extraction is carrying a massive piece of Yemeni Agate.
Where is Yemeni Aqeeq agate extracted from?
he Yemeni Agate is extracted in Yemen from several main regions. In this article, we will get to know some of them
The Anes Mountains in Dhamar Governorate:
Alhan Mountain is one of the prominent sites for extracting Yemeni Agate in the Anes Mountains. This place is considered one of the oldest locations in Yemen that is famous for Yemeni Agate extraction, and it has been known since ancient civilizations in Yemen
The raw red Yemeni Agate stones
The Yemeni Agate extracted from Alhan Mountain is known for its high quality, beautiful color, and unique designs. Additionally, Yemeni Agate is also available in Mount Dhouran and Almanar, both located in Anes. Each type of Agate has its own special characteristics and unique charm.
"There is no doubt that the Yemeni Agate extracted from the Anes Mountains holds significant historical and cultural value in Yemen. This agate has been used since ancient times in the production of jewelry, tools, and artifacts. It is a unique natural material that possesses unmatched beauty and authenticity. Just imagine the craftsmanship and skill artisans employ to create magnificent works of art using this precious agate
There is no doubt that the Yemeni Agate extracted from the Anes Mountains holds immense historical and cultural value in Yemen. This splendid agate has been cherished since ancient times, finding its way into the creation of exquisite jewelry, essential tools, and remarkable artifacts. It is a truly exceptional natural material, radiating unparalleled beauty and authenticity. Just imagine the sheer artistry and skill displayed by artisans as they craft magnificent works of art using this precious and captivating agate.
Subaa area in Anes
The Subaa area is truly one of the prominent areas in the extraction of Yemeni Agate in Anaes, where the extraction of Yemeni Agate has been taking place for decades. The agate extracted from this area is known as "Al-Suba'i" and it is characterized by its darker color compared to other regions.
The Yemeni Subai Agate is also distinguished by slightly less transparency compared to the agate extracted from the Alhan region. This characteristic gives the Sabai Agate a beautiful and unique effect when used in jewelry making. The Subaa area is highly renowned in the world of agate extraction, attracting many craftsmen and enthusiasts of this precious stone to source raw agate stones from it in order to meet the demands of their customers.
Some districts in Dhamar:
There are many other regions and districts in Dhamar Governorate where Yemeni Agate is extracted, such as the districts of Ans and Autma. These areas are known for extracting specific types of agate.
Other governorates:
The discovery of Yemeni Agate is not limited to Dhamar Governorate alone. There are other governorates in Yemen where certain types of Yemeni Agate are also extracted. Among these governorates, you can find Sana'a, Ibb, Taiz, and Shabwa, where there are mines for agate extraction.
How is Yemeni Aqeeq (Agate) extracted?
Yemeni Agate is extracted using simple manual methods that rely on the use of traditional tools. Chisels and hammers are used to extract the agate from the rocks.
A worker in Anes mountain, Yemen, extracts Yemeni Agate
Typically, the work begins by identifying the potential area where Yemeni Agate is present in the rocks. This is done based on the knowledge and accumulated experience of the workers in this field. After locating the site, the workers carefully extract the agate from the rocks using chisels and hammers. The volcanic and metamorphic rocks are delicately broken to access the agate inside
In some rare cases, simple equipment such as compressors may be used to facilitate the excavation process in deeper rocks. Digging can reach depths exceeding 10 meters to access the layers of agate. Sometimes, the search for agate is also conducted in sedimentary rocks that may contain excellent agate stones.
The extraction of Yemeni Agate is considered a meticulous process that requires expertise and precision. It is truly beautiful to witness this traditional manual process that preserves the beauty and authenticity of Yemeni Agate.
How does raw Yemeni Aqeeq (Agate) stone look like?
The Yemeni Agate is not found in its ready-made form as we see it in beads and prayer beads, but it is usually found in the form of irregular raw blocks. Additionally, the agate is often mixed with soil and other rocks that host it.
Raw Yemeni Agate stones, red saffron in color
What are the stages of processing Yemeni Aqeeq stone?
Yemeni Agate is processed through several steps and stages to obtain the magnificent Yemeni Agate stone that we see. We will briefly mention some of them
Extracting agate from the mines.
Sorting the stones manually under light and selecting the suitable ones for processing.
Cleaning the stone from rocks and dirt.
The cutting process using an electric saw.
The grinding and shaping process using a grinding machine.
The polishing process using a polishing machine and polishing powder.
The faceting process (optional) using special tools.
Heat-treatment for some sorts of Yemeni Agates.
Processing Yemeni Agate, red agate, Yemen, gemstones,
Tools and equipment used in processing Yemeni Agate.
There are many tools and machines used in processing Yemeni Agate, and here are some of them:
Sawing Machine
Grinding Machine
Polishing Machine
Polishing Powder
Sanding Paper
Faceting Machine
Safety tools
Agate Artisans polish Yemeni Agate
where to Buy lapidary tools in Yemen:
You can purchase Yemeni Agate processing tools from many shops within Yemen, including "Alam Almas" store, which imports and sells everything related to the agate industry,
In addition to selling tools and equipment, "Alam Almas" store offers training courses for using the tools and machines. These courses are conducted by qualified and specialized trainers in the agate industry. So, if you wish to acquire the necessary skills for using the tools correctly and effectively, you can join these beneficial training courses!
Let us know what types of Yemeni agate are? For details and pictures, please read the following article:
Some types of Yemeni agate according to color:
Red Yemeni agate:
Red Yemeni Carnelian or Yemeni Carnelian as called in English
English translation: It is a type of transparent Yemeni agate that carries shades of red. Its colors range from cherry red to liver brown, then to dark ruby red and slightly lighter pomegranate red. There are also shades of orange, honey, apricot, gold, and yellow. (Yemeni Agate website)ي)
Cherry red onyx (Agates)
Red agate is known as a famous stone with a dark red-brown color that is used as a semi-precious stone. Wikipedia).
Raw red Yemeni agate
There is a definition similar to the previous one Carnelian is a translucent, semi-precious variety of chalcedony silica minerals whose red-brown color is due to the presence of iron oxides. the red and and brown colors are due to iron oxides (from Britannica).
Raw red Yemeni Agate chunk
Red agate is considered the most famous of the types of chalcedony minerals and has a reasonable price. Its colors range from yellow-orange to red to brown. The transparency of some types ranges from semi-opaque to highly transparent. (According to the website GemSociety).
A large stone of raw yellow Yemeni agate
The importance of agate comes from its relation with health, luck and prestige. The ancients preferred red agate because it was easy to cut and use in jewelry Also seals and talismans were carved on it. Red agate was associated with royalty, and healers recommended wearing it as a general blood tonic, perhaps because of its red color Which resembles the color of blood. Some wore red agate to treat nosebleeds, skin diseases, and regulate the menstrual cycle. It is also used by Others as a stimulant of sexual drives. The ancients considered red agate a lucky stone.
As for the Arabs, they considered red agate to be one of the stones of kings. As it was mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) wore a silver ring with a stone. Of red agate on his right ring finger. This may explain the great demand for red agate in the Arab and Islamic world. And those who work in Making agate by engraving some prayers to bring luck and ward off envy. In Egypt, people wear seals to ward off evil and evil and bring safety. (Copied and translated from the website GemSociety).
Raw honey yellow onyx - agate
Cherry agate:
A type of Yemeni agate whose color is similar to the color of cherries or slightly darker, so that it tends to black. It is a member of the red Yemeni agate family and is considered a very dark shade of it.
Liver - kabdi Yemeni agate
It is a Yemeni agate from the dark red Yemeni agate family. Its color is brown, resembling the color of the liver. This name is one of the somewhat old names that was traded in the Yemeni agate market for a long time.
Ruby Color Yemeni Agate:
It is a Yemeni agate whose color resembles the color of a ruby. It is a member of the transparent red pomegranate agate family, and this name may overlap with pomegranate agate or light red Yemeni agate.
Yemeni pomegranate agate:
It is a red agate onyx that resembles the color of a pomegranate or is slightly lighter. The most beautiful of them is the high transparency.
Red Yemeni agate - What are the types of Yemeni agate?
Yemeni, sky, or blue agate:
It is a blue Agate onyx that resembles the color of the sky. The quality of this type increases the darker the stone's color, larger size, and free of impurities and defects.
Sky color Yemeni agates
White Yemeni Agate :
It is a bright and transparent white agate that is completely different from the white calcite stone traded in the markets. The whiter and purer the stone from impurities and being free of other colors, its quality increases.
Rare snow white Yemeni agate
Pink or Purple Yemeni Agate:
It is Yemeni agate, which ranges in color from dark violet, then light, then pink in its dark and light shades.
Violet Yemeni agate cabochon
Black Yemeni Onyx (agate):
This type of agate ranges in color from dark black to lighter to grey. This type is divided into transparent agate that may Some of it is called the slave's lip (Shefat Al-abd), and some of it is opaque onyx, which may be called onyx.
Yemeni agate, black agate and Faceted agate
Black Yemeni Agate (Orca Whale)
Orca Agate: The Rare and Desirable Stone
What is Orca Agate?
Orca Agate is a rare and distinctive type of agate stone, characterized by its interplay of white and black colors, giving it a unique appearance resembling the outer color of an orca whale [1]This type of agate holds great importance in the field of alternative therapy, which is why it is given various names based on its uses. [1].
Origin of Orca Agate
According to search results on Google, it was previously believed that Orca Agate was only extracted from the island of Madagascar [1]However, this rare type of agate has also been discovered in Yemeni mines, confirming that the type of agate we showcase on our website is natural and authentic Yemeni agate [1].
Characteristics of Yemeni Orca Agate
White and black Yemeni agate, known as Orca Agate, is distinguished by its unique color that resembles the outer color of an orca whale [1]Some types of this agate fall under the category of Yemeni Moss Agate, which is a true masterpiece of nature [1].This gemstone is considered rare and highly sought after worldwide due to its unique beauty [1].
Raw Sky color Yemeni AgateRaw Purple Yemeni Agate chunk
We find that these types of Yemeni agate that were mentioned are named according to color, as orange Yemeni agate is similar to the color of orange. And agate Asali is similar to some colors of honey and apricot is the color of apricot. As we find in historical references, the Tamari and Rutbi agates are similar dates, dates and other names.
Let us know more about what types of Yemeni agate are? We move to the next section
Some other types of Yemeni agate:
Pictorial Yemeni Agate :
It is a type of Yemeni agate that contains images, symbols, and natural shapes formed in the stone. These images may form on the surface or inside of the stone. agate Sometimes the pictured agate comes in the form of complete or partial human images, such as the image of a man, woman, child, etc. It might also be there pictorial agate with landscape images. Some images are in the form of letters or names of religious symbols, such as the word “Allah” and the name “Muhammad.” Or (Ali) or Hussein) and other names that have a specific meaning to people. Other times we find images of well-known places or buildings, such as something similar to the image of the Holy Kaaba, domes, and towers. Types of Yemeni Pictorial agates May contain pictures of animals, such as a picture of a falcon, a picture of a lion, or a wolf, and some of them are pictures of fish... There are many types of images which we may find in Pictorial Agate cabochons The quality of the pictured Yemeni agate depends on the clarity of the image, its beauty, its meaning, and its being 100% natural. It also depends on the type of stone, Its size, the quality of the work, and the stone’s freedom from defects such as fractures, cracks, and some impurities. We move to the next paragraph to learn more about what are the types of Yemeni agate?
Pictorial Yemeni Agate cabochon
Baqrani Yemeni Agate :
According to historical sources, the name of the Yemeni Baqrani agate is given to the agate stone that has a black, white, or red color, And white, whether the colors are in the form of lines, layers, or overlapping colors. Currently, the classification is expanding to include many colors in which it is used the shape of the stone as the shape of an eye.
Raw Yemeni Agate stone
Yemeni Dawoody Agate, Eyes Agate:
It is a Yemeni agate that consists of metal points in the form of perfect circles or semi-circles that resemble eyes. The stone may contain one or two eyes or more. Some of these eyes come in black, brown, or a combination of several colors, and this may be the most beautiful. You may find this type of agate Some natural photos.
Raw Yemeni eyes agate
Dentritic Yemeni Agate
Yemeni tree (dentritic) agate is a type of transparent agate in different colors and types that contains natural ingredients that resemble tree branches.
Yemeni tree dentritic Agate
Muzahhar Yemeni Agate:
It is considered one of the most common types, as the cabochons has several colors, and the name may come from the color of the flowers.
Moss Yemeni Agate cabochon
Sharaf Al-shams Yemeni Agate
This name is given to the very yellow and highly transparent Yemeni agate. This type of onyx is often associated by some people with the talisman engraved on the back of the cab
Sharaf Al-shams Yemeni Agate
Shefat Al-Abd (slave's lip ) Yemeni Agate
It is a black Yemeni agate that turns red on light. This name is one of the new names that has appeared in the recent period which may be given to some types Black Yemeni Agates.
Black onyx slave lip Yemeni Agate
Bloodstone (Heliotrope) agate
A type of opaque Yemeni agate in which the color of the stone is dark green, light green, or black, with red dots interspersed with these colors. Or brown resembling the color of blood. The finest and best of the Yemeni bloodstone is the one in which the color of the stone is a bright, intense green with intense red dots. Some people give the name bloodstone to the opaque agate stone, whose color is completely red, called blood agate Blood Jasper without overlapping with green. In some Arab markets, such as Iraq, in Baghdad, the Kadhimiya area, and in the markets of Najaf, Karbala, Basra, and most Iraqi cities, they call Bloodstone, also known as Heliotrope, (Qandash stone or al-Qandash)is the name of the stone. To find more information about this stone in English, Heliotrope Or bloodstone
A masterpiece of bloodstone
Sulaimani Aqeeq:
It is mostly opaque onyx and is formed in the form of parallel or semi-parallel lines or layers. Sulaimani agate stone is ginded sometimes horizontally, the stone is domed until the lines gather on the face of the stone in the form of circles inside each other. Sometimes the stone is shaped in a way that the lines on the face of the agate cab are straight. There are different types of Sulaimani Yemeni agate, as some of them are in the shape of circles white, eye-like surface found on the surface of the stone.
Silver ring with red Sulaymani agate
Yemeni Moss Agate:
emeni Moss Agate is a unique type of Yemeni agate stone that stands out with its natural composition of veins and moss in various colors such as green, white, and black. [1]This beautiful gemstone is also known as "Moss Agate" or "Mocha Stone" and is globally sought after for its exceptional beauty. [1].
Composition of Yemeni Moss Agate
Chemically, Moss Agate is composed of chalcedony minerals, with green and non-green veins resembling plant-like formations embedded in the stone, which are called "moss". [1]hese "moss" formations are actually inorganic materials composed of mineral oxides, giving the stone an appearance resembling seaweed or tree branches. It is from this resemblance that it gets its name, Moss Agate. [1].
Types of Yemeni Moss Agate
According to experts on the website of Yemeni Agates In the extraction of Yemeni Moss Agate for over 20 years, Moss Agate can be found in various types of agate, such as red agate, dendritic agate, scenic agate, yellow agate, and many other types of Yemeni agate, when moss formations are embedded in them. [1].
Reason for naming Moss Agate as "Mocha Stone"
Among the different names for Moss Agate, it is also known as "Mocha Agate" or "Mocha Stone". [1]This name comes from the Latin language and was historically used to refer to this type of Yemeni and non-Yemeni Moss Agate worldwide. [1]It was named after the city of Mocha(MOKA) (MOCA), an ancient Yemeni port that was famous for exporting Yemeni coffee worldwide. The name "Mocha" became associated with a type of coffee in the global markets known as "Mocha Coffee [1]And because Yemeni Agate was historically exported through the port of Mocha, this stone was named "Mocha Agate" or "Mocha Stone" in reference to this port. [1].
Yemeni moss agate stone
Yemeni saffron agate:
Red, yellow, or other colors of onyx interspersed with saffron veins.
What are the types of Yemeni agate? Yellow Yemeni stone with saffron veins
Snake skin or tiger skin agate:
It is an opaque Yemeni agate (onyx) with spots resembling the skin of a snake or tiger.
Needle agate:
A type of transparent and semi-transparent Yemeni agate that contains what looks like natural needles in different colors and may slightly resemble moss agate.
Ismaili agate:
We find this name given to some types of opaque agate stones that are characterized by bright colors.
Jaza Agate:
According to the common name in the Yemeni market, the name Yemeni Jaza 'Al-jaza Al-Yamani' “onyx” is given to the opaque stone, regardless of its color or type. In Iraqi markets it is called Jaza is a type of agate that has lines called striations. As for some other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the Sultanate of Oman and In the Emirates, we find an overlap in naming by those interested in Yemeni Jaza onyx, so we will be dealing this this website with the term Jaza as to be the two types mentioned in this post
The banded Yemeni Agate:
Al-Majzaa means the banded, that is, the transparent Yemeni onyx with natural lines.. This type is very desirable especially if it has several contrasting colors. There may be some overlap between the different names for this type with onyx and cow agate.
What are the types of Yemeni Agates?
There are many names for some Yemeni agate stones, such as the Murad stone, the Maryam stone, and others.
Distinguished stones other than Yemeni agate which are extracted and shaped in Yemen
Green Yemeni jade:
A type of stone similar to agate, but its composition is more composed of quartzite.
Two silver rings with Yemeni jade
Quartz:
Quartz stone, known as amethyst, is found in Yemen in different colors and various qualities.
clear and faceted quartz
Iolite:
Star stone or what is called cordierite.
Yemeni, beautiful iolite
and there are many types rare and very distinctive and may not fall within a specific type of the above-mentioned types of onyx. Therefore, this article is a simple overview that contains information that everyone may benefit from. I hope I have succeeded in gathering some information to answer the question: What are the types of Yemeni agate?
Because I always receive the question: What are the types of Yemeni agate? I did my best to collect information for the benefit of everyone.
rare agate
Some references from several websites for some of the paragraphs above ,were mentioned at the end of each paragraph, with a link to the original topic included.
